Vertigo

Willingham's "Fables," a comic book series that brings characters from myths, folk stories, and tall tales into the present day, steps into the world of prose with a charming stand-alone fantasy novel. The story begins in modern Fabletown, a magical village hidden in New York City where many of the immortal Fables now live. Peter Piper—the same Peter who picked a peck of pickled peppers and challenged the great wolf—is warned that his evil brother Max, aka the Pied Piper, has been causing problems out in the world. Peter heads for Hamelin, Germany, to challenge him and put a stop to his dark ways for good. A series of flashbacks then take things back to medieval times and set the stage for the final conflict. Fantasy readers new to "Fables" will get a nice taste of Willingham's rich and satisfying world while fans of the comics will find themselves treated to cameo appearances by popular characters like Bigby (aka the Big Bad Wolf), the Beast, and Peter's wife, Bo Peep. Leialoha's black-and-white drawings smartly enhance the fairy-tale feel of the story. Those willing to dig past the slow start required to explain the extensive background of the author's inventive world will find an action-packed adventure built around two absolutely captivating characters.—Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA

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